Xinhua Agency, Kuwait City, August 31 (Reporter Yin Wei) News from Aden: The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said on the evening of August 31 that at least 11 United Nations staff members were arrested by Houthi forces in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a and Hodaydah provinces that day.

Grendeberry said Houthi militants broke into the United Nations offices in the local area and seized assets.This time, the total number of UN staff detained by Houthi armed forces reached 34, some of whom have been detained for years. Earlier this year, a UN staff member died while detained in northern Sadat province.

Grendeberry called on the Houthi armed forces to immediately and unconditionally release all detained UN and other international aid agencies.

Yemeni humanitarian workers and security officials in Sana'a confirmed to Xinhua News Agency that the Houthis have arrested several World Food Program workers at UN offices in Sana'a and Hodeidah. The Houthis have also detained and questioned several UNICEF staff.

Yemeni sources said that after the Israeli air strike killed many important officials such as the head of the Houthi armed administration on the 28th, the Houthi armed intelligence department arrested dozens of people in Sana'a and other areas, including some local humanitarian workers and international aid organizations, on the grounds that they were suspected of colluding with Israel.

The Houthi armed forces have not released news on the 31st arrest.